Princess Cruises Now Has a Train-to-port Service With Florida's Brightline — and You Can Have Your Luggage Delivered to the Ship

08.04.2024 - 22:35 / travelandleisure.com / John Padgett / Treasure Coast

High-speed rail company Brightline is making it easier to catch a cruise in Florida thanks to a new partnership with Princess Cruises.

Travelers boarding a Princess cruise will now be able to take advantage of the new “Rail & Sail" service from any of Brightline’s Florida stations, Princess Cruises shared with Travel + Leisure. The cruise line will then provide a complimentary motorcoach service between either the Orlando or Fort Lauderdale train stations and the embarkation terminal.

Travelers who take the train to the port will also have the ability to opt-in to a new luggage express service, which costs $35 per bag. With the new service, passengers will be able to check their bags upon arrival at the train station and have them delivered directly to their staterooms.

To start, the luggage express service will only be offered on Orlando to Fort Lauderdale trains. Princess plans to add the service on Fort Lauderdale to Orlando trains in the future.

“A Princess cruise is already the best value in travel and this new partnership with Brightline makes it even easier and more enjoyable to sail with us from the top-rated ports in South and Central Florida,” John Padgett, the president of Princess Cruises, said in a statement shared with T+L. “Our guests can just sit back, relax, and let us do the rest, including delivering their luggage directly to their stateroom.”

To celebrate the new train partnership, Princess is offering a credit to use on Brightline’s tickets for passengers who book a cruise through May 5. Travelers who book an interior or oceanview stateroom will receive a $50 per person Brightline credit, passengers who book a balcony or deluxe stateroom will receive a $100 per person credit, and passengers who book a mini-suite or a suite will receive a $150 per person credit.

Brightline first launched in 2018 with service between West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami before expanding to Aventura and Boca Raton. Last year, the company opened its new route between Miami and Orlando. And in 2026, Brightline plans to add a brand-new stop along Florida’s Treasure Coast.

The company offers the option of both “Smart” and “Premium” fares. Premium tickets include added perks like a dedicated lounge at the departure station, priority boarding, checked luggage, and complimentary snacks and beverages. All Brightline trains come with complimentary onboard Wi-Fi.